CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Legislation to allow collegiate athletes to be paid for their work and likeness has been submitted in New Hampshire.
State Rep. Garrett Muscatel introduced the bill that would permit athletes to be paid directly by colleges and universities, sign endorsement deals, or to sell their names, images, or likenesses.
The NCAA allows schools to give scholarships to athletes but prohibits schools from offering most other compensations, Valley News reported Wednesday.
The Democrat from Hanover argued that other students are allowed to profit from their skills or extracurricular activities, and that sports should not be any different.
“We need to make sure that college athletes get the rights that they deserve,” Muscatel said. “We have a chance to lead the rest of the country.”
Muscatel, a senior a Dartmouth College, says he modeled the bill after a similar act passed in California.
The NCAA said it plans to update its rules to allow athletes to benefit from their names, images and likenesses.
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